Threat of heart attack cited in Gigi Reyes’ hospital transfer

Buena Bernal

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Threat of heart attack cited in Gigi Reyes’ hospital transfer
The camp of Gigi Reyes explains her transfer to the Philippine Heart Center through a motion submitted before the Sandiganbayan

 

MANILA, Philippines – Lawyer of indicted plunderer and lawyer Jessica Lucila “Gigi” Reyes told the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan that it was the threat of a heart attack that forced Reyes’ transfer to the Philippine Heart Center (PHC) Friday night, July 11.

In a manifestation and motion filed last Saturday afternoon, July 12, Reyes’ lawyer Anacleto Diaz said his client’s “fragile medical condition” required her continued confinement at PHC.

At the time of the filing, Reyes was said to be under observation at the PHC Intensive Care Unit.

Reyes was transferred to PHC 8 pm Friday, even without a court order.

According to Reyes’ attending physician at the Taguig Pateros District Hospital (TPDH), Dr Anthony Lontoc, Reyes suffered from chest pains accompanied by difficulty of breathing. He recommended her transfer to the PHC, after anti-anginal medication offered her no relief. 

Her lawyer Diaz said Lontoc was “alarmed by the danger” that Reyes could suffer from “an acute coronary event i.e. heart attack and/or stroke.”  

He said TPDH, where Reyes was confined at the time, had inadequate facilities for Reyes’ “further evaluation, management, and treatment.”

Given her persistent chest pains despite medication, Reyes is said to have her best possible chances of survival at “a tertiary hospital equipped and capable of effectively evaluating and addressing her condition as well as properly managing any emergency situation” like the PHC.  

Still prefers PNP Custodial Center

Diaz added that Reyes should be ordered detained at the Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Center, where there is a tertiary hospital nearby. He said Reyes’ motion to be detained at the PNP Custodial Center should be reconsidered, given her susceptibility to a heart attack.

The motion was earlier denied by the court. The 3rd division justices ordered her detention at Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) facility in Camp Bagong Diwa instead.

In a July 10 hearing, Justice Samuel Martires explained that their decision denying Reyes’ motion was merely in compliance with the law. 

“I must admit that our hearts really bleed, and I am not taking you for a ride. It’s very hard for us to make that decision, but we have to follow the law,” he said.

Justice Alex Quiroz likewise explained during the said hearing that the PNP Custodial Center is not a detention facility meant for individuals undergoing trial such as the pork scam accused. 

The 1st and 5th divisions, the other two divisions of the court handling the pork scam cases, have ordered the detention of the accused who surrendered to authorities at the PNP Custodial Center.

Asked if the other two divisions failed to comply with the law by ordering so, Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang explained on Monday morning, July 14, that it is ultimately up to the justices to decide.

Martires, Quiroz, and Tang are members of the Sandiganbayan 3rd division, handling the pork scam cases of Senator Juan Ponce Enrile and his co-accused. Reyes is Enrile’s former chief of staff.

But Diaz reiterated in the Saturday motion and manifestation that Reyes’ “serious medical condition that poses a clear and present danger to her life” requires that she be detained in a facility where there is a nearby tertiary hospital.

The BJMP facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig, he told reporters earlier, was 20 minutes away from TPDH. Diaz was with Reyes when she was transferred from Camp Bagong Diwa to TPDH at 1 am last July 10, due to sudden panic attacks.

BJMP report submitted

Also on Monday, 3rd division clerk of court Dennis Pulma said the court received a BJMP report narrating the instances that occurred last Friday regarding Reyes’ hospital transfer.

The court has yet to receive an official report from the TPDH or from Dr Lontoc regarding the transfer. 

The court had ordered Lontoc to appear in court on a Tuesday afternoon, July 15, hearing to attest to the medical condition of Reyes. – Rappler.com 

 

 

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